Theme ~ My 50 Years in America
Many Cs have
affected my 50 years in America and becoming a citizen of this country was an
important one.
I lived here for a very long time before I took that step. When my
mother was alive, I dreamed of going back to Sweden. I'm very Swedish by nature and family is
important to me, so I dreamed of it, even though I knew in my heart it was not
to be. After I married my husband and settled
down, it still took some time. Pressure at work and illness interfered.
Finally, on April 20, 1999, after I filled out the forms, passed the tests, and all requirements were met, I was at the Los Angeles Civic Center waiving my little flag with hundreds, if not thousands, of other newly minted American citizens. It was a serious and meaningful moment for me, as I proclaimed Allegiance to the Flag for the first time.
Afterward my husband and I went to El Toritos restaurant in Marina del Rey and
celebrated. On our way home, we turned on the car radio and learned about the
shootings at Columbine and my happy day turned into one of tragedy, never to be forgotten by those of us who watched the events unfold on TV.
Finally, on April 20, 1999, after I filled out the forms, passed the tests, and all requirements were met, I was at the Los Angeles Civic Center waiving my little flag with hundreds, if not thousands, of other newly minted American citizens. It was a serious and meaningful moment for me, as I proclaimed Allegiance to the Flag for the first time.
I have no regrets about becoming a citizen. It felt great to vote for the first time as an American. That was in the 2000 presidential election, which left me a bit dumbfounded, with hanging chads, a Supreme Court decision, and all that turmoil. Oh, well, after that, it has felt good to be a responsible grownup, living in a democracy, and voting in every election, not just the one for president. If anyone were to mess with my right to vote, I know I would be seriously furious.
It also made it easier to travel abroad. The green card was never enough. I remember scrambling for the additional paperwork needed in order for me to be allowed to leave and return, often because of an emergency in my family in Sweden. I think the U.S. government wanted to make sure my taxes had been withheld or something along those lines. So I'm glad that's done with and I now have an American passport, which just expired, but still.
Finally, it feels good to have made a decision. It is never good to feel divided, as I did for so many years. This is now my country and Sweden is where I came from, where my roots are; but this is where I am now, this is where I live.
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A welcome letter from President Clinton
Finally, it feels good to have made a decision. It is never good to feel divided, as I did for so many years. This is now my country and Sweden is where I came from, where my roots are; but this is where I am now, this is where I live.
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P. S.
Thanks to all of you who left Easter Greetings on Easter Sunday. We were at my BIL's house on Sunday and went to Los Angeles early Monday, so I forgot to read comments, all 25 of them. Thank you so much and I hope you all had a wonderful Easter Sunday. ~ Inger
Thanks to all of you who left Easter Greetings on Easter Sunday. We were at my BIL's house on Sunday and went to Los Angeles early Monday, so I forgot to read comments, all 25 of them. Thank you so much and I hope you all had a wonderful Easter Sunday. ~ Inger
Excellent post. This is something you could share in a national magazine. A woman from Ethiopia, who now lives in Fargo, ND, wrote her story and how she felt about saying good-bye to her old country and identity and embracing a new one.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the USA! Glad to be your "neighbor."
Play off the Page
1999 was the year your life changed. Actually mine did too that year. That was the year my husband died.... 13 years ago. I don't mean mine as a downer.... often changes are very good.
ReplyDeleteI'm loving your theme even more.
Great theme, what a huge change. My SIL just got her citizenship and life is sooo much easier for her to travel home to Mexico and actually have no problems returning. So nice. I think she will be able to have her mom come visit now, which she couldn't for some reason before...
ReplyDeletei can imagine how torn you were for many years - between continents and countries. i still feel that way just between states of my life and my 'home'. :)
ReplyDeletethis might just be my most favorite part of the story. it takes courage to come to another country and live and make a new life and even more courage to claim citizenship. glad you are here and that you did.
ReplyDeleteSO GLAD you became a citizen--so did my son-in-law!! He is much more vehement about politics than I am.
ReplyDeleteHi Inger .. I only partially experienced your feelings - that of living in another country for an extended period, but I had no wish to end up living in South Africa.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad things worked out eventually and you're now very settled .. and so pleased you had a happy time with your BIL and family over the Easter weekend ..
Cheers and cheers to Citizenship .. Hilary
It sometimes seems to me that people who have "become" citizens as opposed to those who were "born" into it are more grateful of their right to vote. I wish everyone would realize what a great thing it is.
ReplyDeleteIt is not an easy decision to make. Home, many times, is where you came from, but once you make that choice, it seems right that home is where you are.
ReplyDeleteOh Inger I am positive many of us are glad you did too. I am also very glad that you blog so I can learn more about your journey and wonderful life. Hugs B
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
ReplyDeleteThis should be in a magazine, esp. with immigration being an important issue. Good post, as always!
ReplyDeleteSweden's loss was definitely our gain. I do hope you someday do get back to Sweden for a visit. I really admire your courage. Not sure I could have done what you did.
ReplyDeleteI can feel the pull of Sweden and the pride in being an American. For some reason, this brought a tear to my eye. You write so well -- and English isn't even your first language. Wow.
ReplyDeleteHi and thanks so much for visiting our blog! I'm so glad that your brush with cancer was only a brush.
ReplyDeleteAn excellent story, and an inspiring one. If a place makes us feel better, why wouldn't we stay?
ReplyDeleteI agree, a definite decision forces the issue. (Do I stay or do I go back?) At the time the decision occurs, it's usually a crossroads, with no signposts.
I can't imagine how torn you must have felt about this issue. I've never lived in another country so it's not something I can comprehend at all. I'm glad though you made a decision that has been a good thing for you. Although it's unfortunate the 2000 election was your first vote! Not our finest hour here in the US LOL.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting post, I enjoyed reading about your journey to this point.
What a fitting post for C. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful story!
ReplyDeleteJaha du är amerikansk medborgare med, har du dubbelt medborgarskap.
ReplyDeleteTack för gästboks inlägget. Jodå där bor vi...:-)
Kram!
I didn't realize that you had waited that long to become a citizen of the USA.
ReplyDeleteIt must have been a wonderful feeling indeed to finally take this step in your journey, Inger.
I can appreciate your feelings on the importance of voting at all levels of government.
Looking forward to 'D'!
Hey, congratulations. I think it's great.
ReplyDeleteAnd happy A to Z, while I'm at it.
Having two countries to love and who love you makes it hard for you, Inger...:)JP...p.s. hello from Aruba...Internet is horrible here!
ReplyDeleteDo you still have a little accent? Where did you meet your hubby? sandie
ReplyDeleteIt's sad that such a terrible event occurred on your special day. It's sad that it ever happened at all.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Wonderful post! I'm stopping in from the A to Z Challenge. Have a fun April!!
ReplyDeleteWe can imagine that it would be hard to give up citizenship of a country so dear to you. But we welcome you as a fellow American!
ReplyDeleteYour Pals,
Murphy & Stanley
I share your feelings to a large extent.
ReplyDeleteYes, as so many have written -- this is magazine caliber material. Great post. Roland
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're here in the USA! I really like your welcome letter signed by Bill Clinton.
ReplyDeleteThis was a good read
ReplyDeleteI had the privilege five years ago of attending the citizenship swearing in ceremony with my "new American" brother-in-law. It was a thrill to see so many people stand there and take their oath. I think it's a shame that more American-born citizens don't fully appreciate their right to vote. It was nice to learn a little bit more about you, Inger.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Inger! I love learning more about you and I didn't know how long you were here or when you became a citizen. I like how you put it... this is your country and Sweden is where you came from.
ReplyDeleteInger ~~~ Once again captivating! As I was reading and Columbine popped up it just donned on me that it was so long ago. SO much has transpired since then, and the 'chad' situation. Even we Canucks remember that fiasco. I remember as a child saying "when I grow up I want to live in America". I thought the land of plenty and it intrigued me. Alas, I'm still Canadian, Nova Scotian, 1st though! Your trip you are taking us on is spell-bounding. Think ~~ publishing!!!
ReplyDeleteRon
To read of your words, of why you are an American, helps me understand my family background more! Thanks Inger!
ReplyDelete~ from a second generation "off the boat" girl xoxox
Dear Inger, as you said, so many Cs--country and citizen and Columbine. I'm glad you did become a citizen and can vote. It seems to me that voting is a real way of showing that we are invested in this country. That what happens here for all of us begins with that individual vote. Once again, your posting had me thinking. Thank you so much for sharing your life with me. Peace.
ReplyDeleteInteresting hearing about your becoming a citizen. One of my favorite musicians John Taylor recently talked about coming a citizen and he sounded really happy about it as well. Are you able to be a dual citizen of Sweden and the US? I know a lot of people are dual citizens now.
ReplyDeleteHi Inger, I loved reading your A to Z posts and found this one on citizenship especially poignant and personal. You have a marvelous theme and what a beautiful way to record some of your special memories. You also have some very cute furry friends. Thanks for letting us glimpse the struggle of putting a country you love into a different corner or your heart as you embrace a new country to love. God bless, Maria at Delight Directed Living
ReplyDeleteThis post is extremely interesting to me -- as I am planning to become a citizen of the UK as soon as I can. Although I feel I am very much an 'American' I also feel a definite need to 'commit' to my adopted country, which I love very much -- though it did take me a long time to feel this way. I don't think, though, that I would be able to do it if I were to lose my American citizenship. I feel fortunate the laws of both countries allow me to be a dual national.
ReplyDelete